The materials sector has lagged most of the other sectors so far in 2019 and for the past year. The Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLB) is up 13.23% so far in 2019, but that places it in seventh place among the 10 select sectors SPDR ETFs. The tech sector has experienced a gain of 27.2% so far this year and that is the top performance of the group.
Even though it has lagged so far this year, the XLB could be ready to make up some ground on the other sectors. The fund pulled back a little over the last few weeks, but that brought it down to the lower rail of an upwardly sloping trend channel. That lower rail is just above the 50-day moving average, giving the ETF two layers of support.
The daily stochastic readings for the XLB moved down close to oversold territory and appear to be turning higher now. The last time the indicators were this low was at the end of December when the fund jumped by over 10% within a matter of weeks. The stochastics did make a bullish crossover on April 29.
The Tickeron AI Trend Prediction tool generated a bullish signal for the XLB on April 26 and that signal showed a confidence level of 87%. The signal calls for a gain of at least 4% over the coming month and 85% of previous predictions on the ETF have been successful.
The 10-day RSI Indicator for XLB moved out of overbought territory on February 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. Traders may want to look at selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 36 instances where the indicator moved out of the overbought zone. In of the 36 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move down at .
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In of 62 cases where XLB's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on March 02, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on XLB as a result. In of 84 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for XLB turned negative on February 20, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 50 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In of the 50 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at .
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where XLB declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where XLB advanced for three days, in of 343 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
XLB may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 298 cases where XLB Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
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